SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via contact and via the air between ferrets

SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus that newly emerged in China in late 2019 1,2 and spread rapidly worldwide, caused the first witnessed pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. As the pandemic progresses, information about the modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among humans is critical to apply appropriate infection control measures and to slow its spread. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted efficiently via direct contact and via the air (via respiratory droplets and/or aerosols) between ferrets. Intranasal inoculation of donor ferrets resulted in a productive upper respiratory tract infection and long-term shedding, up to 11 to 19 days post-inoculation. SARS-CoV-2 transmitted to four out of four direct contact ferrets between 1 and 3 days after exposure and via the air to three out of four independent indirect recipient ferrets between 3 and 7 days after exposure. The pattern of virus shedding in the direct contact and indirect recipient ferrets was similar to that of the inoculated ferrets and infectious virus was isolated from all positive animals, showing that ferrets were productively infected via either route. This study provides experimental evidence of robust transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via the air, supporting the implementation of community-level social distancing measures currently applied in many countries in the world and informing decisions on infection control measures in healthcare settings 3.

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Associations of infection control measures and norovirus outbreak outcomes in healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy ◽

10.1080/14787210.2021.1949985 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carly Adams ◽

Shenita R Peterson ◽

Aron J Hall ◽

Umesh Parashar ◽

Benjamin A Lopman

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Infection Control ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Measures ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Infection Control Measures

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ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY AND DETECTION METHODS FOR THE EXTENDED‑SPECTRUM β-LACTAMASES PRODUCING ENTEROBACTERIACEAE FROM CLINICAL SAMPLES

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i5.24356 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 139

Author(s):

Kaviyarasan G ◽

Rajamanikandan Kcp ◽

Sabarimuthu M ◽

Ramya S ◽

Arvind Prasanth D

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Control Measures ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Extended Spectrum ◽

Drug Choice ◽

Synergy Test

Objectives: Detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is crucial for the infection control and antibiotic choice in healthcare settings. The aim of this study is to develop a standardized, inexpensive, and simple approach that is able to detect ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates.Methods: Isolates those were resistant to at least one of the three indicator cephalosporins (cefotaxime, cefpodoxime, and ceftazidime) were tested for ESBL production using the double disc synergy test (DDST), combined disc synergy test (CDST) test and genotypic detection of the responsible gene for the ESBL.Result: From 64 isolates, 28 were resistant to cephalosporins. In 28 isolates, 23 were positive in CDST but in the DDST 18 were showing ESBL positive. 10 were positive in both CDST and DDST.Conclusion: Resistance to cephalosporins, which are the drug choice to treat mixed bacterial infections by the Enterobacteriaceae of which disseminate rapidly being plasmid mediated. Hence, it is necessary that rapid detection of ESBL should be done and immediate infection control measures should be implemented to prevent their dissemination.

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Rethinking creative research methods in response to COVID-19: Creating a remote research kit

Journal of Applied Arts and Health ◽

10.1386/jaah_00078_1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 271-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rebecka Fleetwood-Smith

Keyword(s):

National Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Infection Control ◽

Public Engagement ◽

Control Measures ◽

Arts Organizations ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Hospital Environments ◽

Creative Research

The ‘Sensing Spaces of Healthcare: Rethinking the NHS Hospital’ project involves working with National Health Service (NHS) staff, patients and visitors to explore their experiences of hospital environments. Over the course of the project, creative approaches centred on art-based and design-led practices are employed to research people’s experiences. Such approaches often involve working closely with participants during sessions. As COVID-19 infection control measures have affected in-person research, it has been necessary to develop and adopt alternative low-contact approaches. This article presents the development of a remote creative research kit designed to be used without a researcher/practitioner present. The kit has been developed through work with creative practitioners, hospital arts organizations, patient and public contributors and learning from public engagement events. The remote creative research kit has led to rethinking and reimagining the ways in which such approaches may be of benefit more broadly in healthcare settings.

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Carbapenem-ResistantEnterobacteriaceae: A Strategic Roadmap for Infection Control

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2017.42 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 580-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

N. Deborah Friedman ◽

Yehuda Carmeli ◽

Aaron Lea Walton ◽

Mitchell James Schwaber

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Medical Problem ◽

Control Measures ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Regional Variability ◽

Preparedness Plan ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Crude Mortality

The incidence of carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE) has increased worldwide with great regional variability. Infections caused by these organisms are associated with crude mortality rates of up to 70%. The spread of CRE in healthcare settings is both an important medical problem and a major global public health threat. All countries are at risk of falling victim to the emergence of CRE; therefore, a preparedness plan is required to avoid the catastrophic natural course of this epidemic. Proactive and adequate preventive measures locally, regionally, and nationally are required to contain the spread of these bacteria. The keys to success in preventing the establishment of CRE endemicity in a region are early detection through targeted laboratory protocols and containment of spread through comprehensive infection control measures. This guideline provides a strategic roadmap for infection control measures based on the best available evidence and expert opinion, to enable preparation of a multifaceted preparedness plan to abort epidemics of CRE.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:580–594

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A review of nosocomial norovirus outbreaks: infection control interventions found effective

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268811002731 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 140 (7) ◽

pp. 1151-1160 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

J. D. GREIG ◽

M. B. LEE

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Infection Control ◽

Population Studies ◽

Rapid Identification ◽

Control Measures ◽

Federal State ◽

Environmental Cleaning ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Government Websites

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study was to review documented outbreaks of enteric illness associated with nosocomial norovirus infections and to identify modes of transmission, morbidity and mortality patterns, and recommendations for control. Searches of electronic databases, public health publications, and federal, state/provincial public health websites were completed for 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2010. Computer-aided searches of literature databases and systematic searches of government websites identified 54 relevant outbreak reports. Transmission routes included person-to-person (18·5%), foodborne (3·7%) and in the majority (77·8%) the route was unknown. Actions taken during the outbreak to control infection included restricting the movements of patients and staff (22·5%), enhanced environmental cleaning (13·6%) and hand hygiene (10·3%). Rapid identification of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals is vital for the immediate implementation of infection control measures and isolation of infected individuals in this mainly immunocompromised population. Studies that statistically evaluate infection control measures are needed.

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Economic Impact of Outbreaks of Norovirus Infection in Hospitals

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/657910 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 191-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Bruce Y. Lee ◽

Sarah M. McGlone ◽

Rachel R. Bailey ◽

Zachary S. Wettstein ◽

Craig A. Umscheid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Economic Impact ◽

Control Measures ◽

Johns Hopkins Hospital ◽

Computer Simulation Model ◽

Hospital Administrators ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Hospital Stays ◽

And Control

Norovirus is highly infectious and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, consuming resources and resulting in longer hospital stays. Although the economic impact of specific past outbreaks has been reported (eg, a 2007 outbreak of norovirus infection at Johns Hopkins Hospital cost an estimated $650,000), these costs may not be generalizable. We developed an economic computer simulation model to assist policy makers, hospital administrators, infection control professionals, and other healthcare workers in determining how much to invest in norovirus prevention and control interventions above and beyond existing infection control measures.

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Prevention of COVID-19 Infection with Personal Protective Equipment

Journal of Disaster Research ◽

10.20965/jdr.2021.p0061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 61-69

Author(s):

Noriko Shimasaki ◽

Hideaki Morikawa ◽

◽

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Infection Control ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Control Measures ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Urban Disaster ◽

Asymptomatic Individuals ◽

Novel Coronavirus

A new infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in Japan can be viewed as an urban disaster because transmission of this respiratory disease tends to occur in densely populated areas. A scientific understanding of the pathogen itself, the cause of the disaster (infectious disease), as well as infection control measures, are important to implement robust and appropriate countermeasures. This review discribes the features, especially the modes of transmission, of COVID-19 and the principles by which infection control is possible using one of the most effective infection control measures – personal protective equipment (PPE). Because COVID-19 is often transmitted to others by asymptomatic individuals through droplets, even those who are unaware of their infection should wear masks to prevent the spread of droplets that may contain the virus and effectively control the spread of disease. However, given the worldwide competition for masks and the urgent requirement of effective controls, it is necessary to conduct further research to establish a system that can supply adequate numbers of masks to regions where many people are infected in the country, with no shortage of masks, in order to make the country more resilient to disasters caused by infectious diseases in the future.

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Infection Control in the Era of COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10101244 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1244

Author(s):

Nour Shbaklo ◽

Tommaso Lupia ◽

Francesco G. De Rosa ◽

Silvia Corcione

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Control Measures ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Engineering Controls ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Infection Control Measures

COVID-19 quickly became a pandemic causing millions of infections and mortalities. It required real-time adjustments to healthcare systems and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to limit the spread and protect healthcare providers and hospitalized patients. IPC guidelines were adopted and developed based on experience gained during the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV outbreaks. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize current evidence on IPC in healthcare settings and patients with COVID-19 to prevent nosocomial infections during the actual pandemic. A search was run on PubMed using the terms (‘COVID-19’ [Mesh]) AND (‘Infection Control’ [Mesh]) between 2019 and 2021. We identified 86 studies that were in accordance with our aim and summarized them under certain themes as they related to COVID-19 infection control measures. All the guidelines recommend early diagnosis and rapid isolation of COVID-19 patients. The necessary precautions should be taken comprising the whole process, starting with an infectious disease plan, administrative and engineering controls, triage, and PPE training. Guidelines should target modes of transmission, droplet, aerosol, and oral–fecal, while recommending control precautions. Healthcare facilities must promptly implement a multidisciplinary defense system to combat the outbreak.

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